General Manager – Manufacturing & Business Operations

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Employment Type: Full-Time
Level: Senior Executive Management
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer / Board

About the Organization

Our client is an established and growing business with a strong presence in the Ethiopian market and ambitious plans for continued growth and organizational development.

The organization is seeking an experienced General Manager to provide overall leadership across business operations and drive the organization toward stronger performance, operational excellence and sustainable growth.

This is a broad leadership role requiring an executive who can combine strategic thinking with strong execution, commercial awareness with operational discipline, and business leadership with effective people management.

Position Overview

The General Manager will have overall responsibility for translating the organization's strategic direction into measurable business results.

The role will provide leadership across key areas of the business, ensuring that operations, commercial activities, financial performance, people and organizational systems work together effectively.

The successful candidate will be expected to bring structure, accountability and performance discipline while identifying opportunities for growth, efficiency and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Business & Strategic Leadership

• Translate organizational strategy into clear business plans, priorities and measurable objectives.
• Lead the execution of annual business plans and strategic initiatives.
• Monitor overall business performance and take corrective action where required.
• Identify opportunities for growth, expansion and improved competitiveness.
• Provide informed business recommendations to the CEO and senior leadership.
• Ensure effective coordination across key functions.

Operational Leadership

• Provide strong leadership over day-to-day business operations.
• Improve operational efficiency, productivity and resource utilization.
• Establish clear operational standards, targets and performance expectations.
• Identify operational challenges and implement practical solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement across processes and functions.
• Ensure plans are translated into consistent and measurable execution.

Commercial & Business Development

• Develop a strong understanding of market dynamics, customers and competitive conditions.
• Drive sustainable revenue and profitable growth.
• Strengthen customer relationships and commercial performance.
• Identify new market and business development opportunities.
• Support effective pricing, margin and commercial decision-making.
• Work closely with relevant teams to ensure commercial commitments are aligned with operational capacity.

Financial & Business Performance

• Take overall accountability for business performance against agreed objectives.
• Work closely with finance to manage budgets, costs, profitability and working capital.
• Monitor key financial and operational indicators.
• Ensure management decisions are supported by accurate and timely information.
• Establish appropriate performance measures and management reporting.
• Promote strong financial discipline throughout the organization.

Systems & Process Development

• Build and strengthen effective management systems and processes.
• Establish clear KPIs and accountability mechanisms across functions.
• Improve management reporting and organizational visibility.
• Introduce practical systems that support consistency, efficiency and scalability.
• Strengthen organizational structures, roles and responsibilities.
• Identify opportunities for technology, automation and process improvement.

People & Leadership

• Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing management team.
• Establish a culture of accountability, ownership and results.
• Set clear expectations for senior managers and functional leaders.
• Develop leadership capability and succession within the organization.
• Coach managers and support the development of high-potential employees.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration across functions.

Supply Chain & Resource Management

• Ensure effective planning and utilization of critical resources.
• Strengthen coordination between procurement, operations, inventory and distribution.
• Improve supply-chain efficiency and reliability.
• Develop effective relationships with key suppliers and business partners.
• Maintain appropriate control over inventory, costs and resource utilization.

Quality, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure appropriate quality, safety and operational standards are maintained.
• Promote a culture of compliance, responsibility and continuous improvement.
• Ensure adherence to applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Identify key business and operational risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished business leader with a demonstrated ability to lead operations, drive commercial performance, build systems and deliver measurable results.

We are particularly interested in professionals who have progressed through senior leadership positions within manufacturing, industrial, process-based or operationally complex businesses.

Relevant backgrounds may include senior leadership experience in areas such as:

• Manufacturing
• Industrial operations
• Chemical and process-based businesses
• Engineering and technical industries
• Consumer and industrial products
• Building and industrial materials
• Pharmaceuticals and related manufacturing
• Other businesses with significant operational and commercial complexity

Sector experience is valuable, but the strongest consideration will be given to candidates who demonstrate transferable leadership capability and a strong record of business execution.